Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras (Complete)

Rosana Lamosa, soprano - Jose Feghali, piano - Nashville Symphony Orchestra, dir. Andrew Mogrelia, Kenneth Schermerhorn This is a three-CD set that includes all of Villa-Lobos' moody Bachianas Brasileiras. The best known is the fifth, for soprano and eight cellos (well performed here), but there is a wealth hidden among the others. There are dance movements galore; the second builds to a wonderfully percussive and powerful final movement; the eighth, despite an upbeat old folk dance as its centerpiece, has a melancholic warmth that is irresistible. The flute and bassoon duet that makes up No. 6 is rich and expressive, and the solo pianist has his work cut out for him in No. 3. All of them show a use of counterpoint that is truly skillful, and these performances--the only complete, modern set, not to mention at a bargain price--bring out all of the delicacies in the music. A real find. --Robert Levine

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